Cylindrical contact electrode for supplying electric current to an element{13 especially pipes{13 heated by resistance heating

ABSTRACT

A cylindrical contact electrode for supplying electric current to a cylindrical metal element. Current is conducted through wire brush means extending the length of a plurality of hollow wedgeshaped sections which are positioned relative to one another in cylinder-forming relationship. The sections are provided with openings for the passage of a cooling median along with adjusting means for changing the internal diameter of the electrode and thus the pressure against the heated element.

United States Patent Inventors Appl. No. Filed Patented Priority Kazimierz Mrldewicz ul. K. Miarlri 15/2;

Leslaw Kus, ul. Dluga 51; Jan Golek, ul. Nowotki 3/5; Jozef Dudek, ul. Mlynska 12, all of Gliwice, Poland Feb. 24, 1969 June 15, 1971 Feb. 28, 1968 Poland CYLINDRICAL CONTACT ELECTRODE FOR SUPPLYING ELECTRIC CURRENT TO AN ELEMENT-ESPECIALLY PIPES-HEATED BY RESISTANCE HEATING 1 Claim, 4 Drawing Figs.

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[50] Field of Search References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 484,637 10/1892 Hunter 2,086,305 7/1937 Sessions 2,365,539 12/1944 Flowers Primary ExaminerJ. V. Truhe Assistant ExaminerLawrence A. Rouse ,Att0rneyStevens, Davis, Miller and Mosher ABSTRACT: A cylindrical contact electrode-for supplying electric current to a cylindrical metal element. Current is conducted through wire brush means extending the length of a plurality of hollow wedge-shaped sections which are positioned relative to one another in cylinder-forming relationship. The sections are provided with openings for the passage of a cooling median along with adjusting means for changing the internal diameter of the electrode and thus the pressure against the heated element.

SHEET 1 BF 2 Fig.2

CYLINDRICAL CONTACT ELECTRODE FOR ,SUPPLYING ELECTRIC CURRENT TO AN ELEMENT- ESPECIALLY PIPESIIEATED BY RESISTANCE HEATING This invention relates to a cylindrical contact electrode of segmented design to supply current to an element-especially pipesheated by resistance heating, the segments having wire brushes permanently fixed to their surfaces directed towards the heated element.

The electrode according to Polish Pat. No. 54246 is in the form of hollow cylindrical sections to permit forced circulation of the cooling medium and connected electrically to one another by means of flexible conductors. These sections are externally embraced by resilient clamping rings and are equipped with protrusions and connector pipes for connecting them to the cooling medium supply. Annular lugs provided with projections and terminals are situated on both sides of the electrode sections for fastening the electrode and for supplying the electric current respectively, as well as with longitudinal openings permitting movement of the sections during change of the electrode internal diameter stemming from the change of the external diameter of the element being heated.

The electrode so designed is intended for connecting the heated element to one pole of a currentsupply source only; a second electrode is required to connect the element to the second pole. The current passes from the supply source to the heated element through the annular lugs and through the sections electrically connected to one other and to said lugs by means of flexible conductors. This known electrode design permits a relatively large contact surface to be obtained between the electrode and an element being heated by resistance heating, ensures thatthe electrode is in resilient contact with the heated element which results in reducing contact resistance between them and ensures an easy supply of current, especially in the case of elements of smooth surfaces. Such design also allows intensive cooling of the electrode parts exposed to'relatively high temperatures. In many cases it is required, during the continuous resistance heating of elements, e.g. during solutioning treatment, to cool the element intensively just before the electrode and to adjust the pressure of the electrode sections against the element as well as to ensure proper contact between the sectioned electrode and the heated element when such element is porous. Since it is impossible to meet all such requirements simultaneously and in a relatively simple way using the electrode according to the Polish Pat. No. 54246 as well as the other known annular brush electrode according the the Polish Pat. No. 54891, it was decided to provide a sectioned cylindrical electrode which meets all these requirements simultaneously.

A cylindrical electrode according to the present invention consists of hollowed sections provided on the whole length of their inner walls with wire brushes and being located in longitudinal openings of two annular lugs, wherein said longitudinal openings are arranged at equal distances from one another and from the electrode axis along a family of spiral curves having' their beginning on the electrode axis and lying on planes perpendicular to this axis. In order to cool the heated element, the electrode is equipped on both sides with a cooling nozzle and with a delivery chamber for the coolant created by the electrode guard. An embodiment of the electrode according to the invention is represented, by way of example, in accompanying drawings, in which FIG. 1 is a longitudinal section of the electrode, FIG. 2 is a side view thereof,

' FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view along the line A-A, and FIG. 4

is a cross-sectional view along the line B-B.

It consists of sections 1 having channels 2 drilled through them for their forced positive cooling, said sections have wire brushes 3 mounted on their inner walls, facing the axis of the annulus formed by said sections and are provided with connection pipes 4 to connect the cooling medium supply and. with terminals 5 to connect them to the electric current circuit. The sections 1 are additionall rovidedon both sides with protrusions 6 by means of whic ey are held in longitudinal openings8 machined in both plates 7 and spaced at equal distances to one other and to the axis of the electrode itself along a family of spiral curves having their beginning at the electrode axis and lying in a plane perpendicular to this axis. In order to adjust the pressure of brushes 3 against the heated element each plate 7 is provided with an arm 10 to which the pressing force is applied. The sections 1 together with plates 7 controlling the pressing force are suspended on fixtures l1 connecting them to a supporting structure 12 to which a housing 13 is also fixed with an outlet 14 serving to drain the cooling medium away. Cooling medium inlet chambers 15 with connection pipes 16 are fitted in the housing 13 on both sides of the electrode, being disposed axially in relation to the electrode and provided with an annular nozzle 17 for cooling the heated element. The electrode according to the invention also serves to connect one pole of the current supply source to the heated element; a second electrode being necessary to connectboth poles of said source. The current passes through terminals 5, sections 1 and brushes 3 to the heated element 9. The radially movable sections 1 together with brushes 3 are pressed against the heated element by means of controlling plates 7 due to longitudinal openings 8, through the medium of arm 10. The electrode cooling circuit is connected to the cooling medium source by connection pipes 4 and channels 2; and the circuit to cool the thermally treated element is connected to said cooling source by means of connecting pipe 16, inlet chambers 15 and outlet pipe 14 o the housing 15.

The electrode so designed is more universal as well as simple in servicing.

What we claim is:

l. A cylindrical contact electrode for supplying electric current to a cylindrical metal element heated by passage of current therethrough, comprising a plurality of hollow wedgeshaped sections positioned relative to one another in cylinderforming relationship about the heated element, inlet and outlet openings in each of said sections for the passage therethrough of a cooling medium, wire brush means extending the length of each said section and directed towards the axis of said element, at least one longitudinally extending lug at each end of each of said sections, and a pair of platelike members at each end of said sections coaxial with the cylinder formed thereby, each said plates having a plurality of elongated openings arranged at equal distances from one another and to the electrode axis, the openings in one plate of each of said pair of plates extending along straight radial lines and the openings in the other plate of each of said pair of plates extending along curves constituting a family of spirals having their beginning on said electrode axis, said platelike members being assembled with said lugs extending through said openings, one of each. said pair of platelike members being rotatably fixed and an arm formed on the other of said pair of platelike members to which pressure is applied to change the internal diameter of said electrode and thus the pressure against the heated element. 

1. A cylindrical contact electrode for supplying electric current to a cylindrical metal element heated by passage of current therethrough, comprising a plurality of hollow wedgeshaped sections positioned relative to one another in cylinderforming relationship about the heated element, inlet and outlet openings in each of said sections for the passage therethrough of a cooling medium, wire brush means extending the length of each said section and directed towards the axis of said element, at least one longitudinally extending lug at each end of each of said sections, and a pair of platelike members at each end of said sections coaxial with the cylinder formed thereby, each said plates having a plurality of elongated openings arranged at equal distances from one another and to the electrode axis, the openings in one plate of each of said pair of plates extending along sTraight radial lines and the openings in the other plate of each of said pair of plates extending along curves constituting a family of spirals having their beginning on said electrode axis, said platelike members being assembled with said lugs extending through said openings, one of each said pair of platelike members being rotatably fixed and an arm formed on the other of said pair of platelike members to which pressure is applied to change the internal diameter of said electrode and thus the pressure against the heated element. 